New data shows that the caravan and camping boom is continuing apace … and providing a huge economic boost to regional Australia.
However, grey nomads are certainly not the only group of travellers who are giving a lift to country communities.
According to Tourism Research Australia figures, 2025 was the biggest year on record for domestic caravan and camping trips in this country, with almost one in every seven domestic overnight trips being a caravan and camping adventure.
Domestic travellers took 17.3 million caravan and camping trips across Australia, up 14% year-on-year, with expenditure reaching $12.6 billion, well above pre-pandemic levels of $10.2 billion.
There are more and more caravans on the roaad. PIC: Cizza
Some 83%, or $8.6 billion, of the campers’ spend was in regional Australia.
The Tourism Research Australia data showed that, in regional Australia last year, caravan and camping trips accounted for: one in every three domestic overnight holiday trips; one in every three holiday nights; and one in every four dollars spent on holiday trips.
Caravan and campervan registrations across the nation have steadily grown over the last decade with almost 938,000 registered in 2025. This was a 32% increase in registrations since 2019 and an all-time record.
The Caravan Industry Association of Australia’s 2026 State of Industry Report also shows caravan parks generated a record $3.3 billion in revenue in 2025, an increase of 6.3% year-on-year or approximately $207 million.
New South Wales appears to be leading the way, attracting more than one in three domestic caravan and camping visitors.
Their top five destinations in the state were: North Coast (26%), South Coast (17%), The Murray (10%), Hunter region (10%) and Sydney (8%).
Busting the grey nomad stereotype though, the data showed that 43% of domestic caravan and camping visitors to NSW during the period were in full-time employment. They were also high-value travellers, with the largest cohort having an average household income of $100,000-$149,999 (30%).
International caravan and camping visitors to NSW surged by 10.4% in 2025 (86,000 visitors), spending 801,500 nights in the state (up 24.3% year on year). The top three international source markets for caravan and camping visitors were the UK, Germany and New Zealand.
NSW Minister for Jobs and Tourism, Steve Kamper, said the data offered plenty of reasons to be happy.
“Caravan and camping holidays offer immersive experiences that deepen connections with nature, culture and local communities, encouraging repeat visitation across the state,” he said. “The NSW Government is proud to be investing in marketing campaigns, scenic driving routes, upgraded rest stops and enhanced wayfinding initiatives that encourage longer stays and boost regional visitor economies.”
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